Topic: Tennessee Department of Transportation

EPA Recovery Act Grant awarded to Tennessee to electrify truck stops

June 30, 2009 |

Grant Will Fund Efforts to “Electrify” Truck Stops Across Tennessee

NASHVILLE – Governor Bredesen announced today that the Environmental Protection Agency has selected the Tennessee Department of Transportation to receive a $2 million American Reinvestment and Recovery Act discretionary grant to begin equipping truck stops across the state with truck stop electrification (TSE) technology.  Truck stop electrification systems provide heating and cooling for sleeper cab compartments and power to run electrical appliances, such as computers and microwaves. TSE systems also allow trucks outfitted with on-board equipment to “plug in” to operate necessary systems without idling the engine.

“To help improve highway safety, truck drivers are required to rest for 10 hours after driving 11 hours, and trucks idling for extended periods impact air quality and can be costly for their drivers,” said Bredesen.  “The electrification infrastructure that will be installed through this Recovery Act grant will allow truck drivers across Tennessee to reduce diesel emissions, save money and remain comfortable when resting.” «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Business | No Comments

Construction won’t slow July 4th travelers in Tennessee

June 29, 2009 |

Commissioner Halts Lane Closures Surrounding Holiday Period

Nashville – Road construction won’t slow travelers through Tennessee this July 4th holiday weekend. The Tennessee Department of Transportation will suspend all interstate construction that requires lane closures beginning at midnight on Thursday, July 2.

“We want travelers on Tennessee’s roadways to get to their destinations safely and efficiently,” said Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “Suspending lane closures during the holiday period is one way to ensure that travelers don’t have to contend with the additional stress of construction-related lane closures as they travel across our state.”

No lane closure activity will occur on interstates or state highways from midnight on Thursday, July 2 until 6:00 a.m. Monday, July 6. This will provide maximum roadway capacity for holiday travelers. Some long-term lane closures will remain in place in order to ensure safety. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | No Comments

Senator Tim Barnes’ bill puts the bite on illegal interstate billboards

June 27, 2009 |

Steep penalties take the profit motive out of erectingsigns without permits

NASHVILLE – Legislation co-sponsored by Senator Tim Barnes has the financial teeth to stop those who erect billboards along the interstate illegally, without a permit.

“This legislation allows for the Tennessee Department of Transportation to effectively enforce rules that are currently in place,” Senator Barnes said. “By taking the profit motive out of the practice, this law will stop those who put up interstate billboards without the proper permit.”

The Tennessee Department of Transportation will cease doing business with anyone who puts up a new billboard illegally after April 1, 2009, without going through the TDOT process. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics | No Comments

Outlaw Field receives $350,000 grant for new terminal

June 11, 2009 |

Governor Bredesen Announces Grant for Outlaw Field in Montgomery County Grant awarded through TDOT’s Aeronautics Division

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that an aeronautics grant totaling $350,000 has been approved for Outlaw Field in Clarksville.

“Our local airports are vital to the economy and travel system of Tennessee,” said Bredesen. “Investing in our airports helps keep them competitive and efficient at meeting the needs of businesses and travelers. I’m pleased to support continued improvement at Outlaw Field.”

District 22 Senator Tim Barnes had this to say after hearing news of the grant:

First-rate transportation is important as we attract employers like Hemlock Semiconductor to Montgomery County. Plus, the executive business travelers who use this new airport will spend money in our local economy.

I am grateful to Governor Phil Bredesen and the Tennessee Department of Transportation for making this grant possible for Clarksville.

Outlaw Field will use the grant funds for construction of a new terminal. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | 2 Comments

TDoT statement on the death of highway worker in Jackson/Putnam County

June 9, 2009 |

Susan McKee, an employee of Highways, Inc., died on June 8th after being struck by a vehicle as she flagged traffic along State Route 56 near the Putnam and Jackson County line.  The incident occurred just after 11:00 a.m.  Susan McKee was 41 years old and leaves behind three children.

“I speak for everyone here at the Tennessee Department of Transportation when I say our deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of Susan McKee who passed away earlier today after being struck by a vehicle while flagging traffic in a highway work zone.  Highway construction workers, and in particular the women and men who work as flaggers in our construction and maintenance zones, put their lives at risk every day to build and maintain our transportation system.  Unfortunately, incidents like this are all too common.  The death of Ms. McKee should serve as a reminder to all motorists of the importance of using the utmost caution when traveling through all highway work zones.” – TDoT Commissioner Gerald Nicely

It is a good rule of thumb for drivers to slow down when workers or pedistrians are along the side of the road you are driving on, even if you are already going the posted speed limit. Be sure to keep especially alert when passing through a construction zone.

Sections: News | No Comments

TDOT and THP Get Ready for 2009 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival

June 6, 2009 |

The eighth annual festival is expected to draw over 80,000 to Manchester area

Nashville – For the eighth year in a row, the city of Manchester is gearing up to receive nearly 80,000 visitors from across the country as music lovers flock to one of the premier summer music festivals, Bonnaroo. The Tennessee Department of Transportation and Tennessee Highway Patrol are partnering again this year to ensure smooth traffic flow during the event. The 2009 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival kicks off Thursday night, June 11, and winds down Sunday night, June 14. Thursday, June 11, is expected to be the heaviest traffic day.

With 80,000 music fans converging at an old farm site in Coffee County, the area in and around Manchester always sees much heavier traffic throughout the festival. TDOT and the THP are working closely with the City of Manchester Police Department, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department and festival promoters to keep traffic moving on I-24 while also getting Bonnaroonies to their destinations. The agencies and festival promoters have worked throughout the year on a plan to efficiently handle traffic during the festival.

The 2008 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | No Comments

Tennessee in Motion

June 3, 2009 |

Tennessee in Motion is a monthly column by Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely

SmartFIX40 Races toward an Early Finish

TDoT commissioner Gearld Nicely

Admittedly, it was a radical idea – shut down a major interstate through the heart of a city for 14 months. Other states had done total interstate closures, but none for this duration. In just a few days, we will reopen a safer, more modern and totally redesigned Interstate 40 in downtown Knoxville. SmartFIX40 is racing to an early finish.

Before we talk about the finish, let’s go back to the beginning. SmartFIX is an accelerated construction process. It involves closing a roadway to allow around-the-clock work, uninterrupted by traffic, and can dramatically reduce the time it takes to complete a project. Using the SmartFIX concept saved Knoxville drivers 2 ½-3 years of construction traffic tie-ups. As proof, the new stretch of I-40 will open 18 days ahead of schedule. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Commentary | No Comments

TDOT Suspends Lane Closures & starts providing motorist information via Twitter

May 22, 2009 |

TDOT Now Using Twitter to Provide Information about Delays on Tennessee Roadways

Nashville - Motorists traveling through the volunteer state this Memorial Day holiday will have an open road and a new tool to help avoid traffic tie-ups.  The Tennessee Department of Transportation is suspending all lane closure activities on state roads and interstates and is launching TDOT’s first Twitter page to help keep motorists up to date about problems on volunteer state roadways.

“In addition to suspending all lane closure activity this Memorial Day we will be launching our latest informational tool for motorists,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely.  “Twitter is one more way TDOT can help travelers stay informed about road conditions in the volunteer state.” «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | No Comments

Tennessee 4th grader wins international aviation art contest

May 12, 2009 |

Two Knoxville students place in national aviation art contest awards

Governor Phil Bredesen with Jeanne Hardin and her two art students, Chihye Kim and Zeth Akins

NASHVILLE — Governor Phil Bredesen congratulated two Knoxville, Tennessee elementary students at the state Capitol Thursday for placing first and second in their age group in a national aviation arts contest. The Governor recognized 4th grader Zeth Akins for placing second in the International Aviation Arts Contest. Student Chihye Kim was recognized for winning her age bracket in the National competition. Both children are students in Ms. Jeanne Hardin’s class at Cedar Bluff Elementary School.

“Being an artist and a pilot myself, I’m especially appreciative and proud of the work of these young people and the recognition their work has brought to Tennessee,” said Bredesen. “Congratulations to each of these students for their work, talent and achievement.”

The annual International Aviation Art Contest, an event of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) is cosponsored by the National Association of State Aviation Officials Center for Aviation Research and Education (NASAO Center) and the National Aeronautics Association (NAA). «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | No Comments

Three Bridge Repair Projects Require Lane Closures on I-40 This Weekend

April 24, 2009 |

(Nashville) – Tennessee Department of Transportation crews will be working on three separate bridge repair projects along Interstate 40 this weekend in Fayette, Haywood and Madison Counties which will require lane closures on I-40.

In Fayette County, crews will work on a bridge repair project on State Route 222 over Interstate 40 at Exit 42. Crews will close I-40 East and West at mm 42 beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 24 through 5:00 a.m. Monday, April 27 to remove forms on the bridge deck on the SR222 bridge. I-40 traffic will be detoured onto ramps at Exit 42 and back onto I-40. The detour will be signed and THP will assist with traffic control. The SR222 bridge will also be closed to traffic at this time.

The estimated completion date of the project is on or before May 31, 2009.

Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes around this area such as US70 or US64. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | No Comments

© 2009 Clarksville, TN Online is owned and operated by residents of Clarksville Tennessee.
» We are Hosted by Compu-Net Enterprises; In Partnership with Discover Clarksville and Discover Paris